Happy New Year !

How are you feeling entering into this new year?

Sometimes it feels like just a continuation of before, but I find that milestones (even arbitrary ones like dates) can also be a hugely important chapter turn.

It's like birthdays.

The day before you were one age, and now you're another. Has anything really changed? Nope.

But it feels significant.

Most of us are setting goals, maybe resolutions, or intentions for the year.

I wasn't sure what 2025 was going to bring for me -- normally I find myself very contemplative during December.

This year my personal life sent some new shocks that set me off my routines. It was hard and not very merry, but I kept putting one foot in front of the other.

I thought about you all a lot - I'd even crafted subject lines like "when it's not merry..." - because the holidays can feel so different to each of us.

At work, we're still trying to develop the habit of giving each other a bit of grace for whatever might be going on in their lives that we don't know about. Here's your reminder to do that.

So.

I discovered that I do have an intention for the year and a word that is going to be at the forefront for me.

Presence.

I want to be present for whatever comes this year. Be really here for it.

I also see Presence as an active thing. A showing up and engaging in the things that matter to me.

I was reminded very strongly last month that life is short, so I seek to be as present and engaged in life as I can be this year.

___________

I also have a BIG announcement!

I am writing a book!

Scene at Work

Harness the Power of Theatre to Develop Top Skills and Stronger Teams 

This process started for me in September with a Book Proposal Challenge. And it's just continued to build from there.

My goal is to have the book written by my birthday in June -- another big milestone for me.

In my book, I'll be codifying all of the things that I've learned and developed about bringing theatre into the business world to teach essential skills and build great teams.

Here's a sample cover idea that I worked up:

I'll be writing more about the book in future emails, but if you want to get extra behind the scenes goodies and info about the book & my writing process, sign up here!

Other things happened in December -- two different podcast episodes went live!

The Actions That We Take -- Life Beyond the Numbers

From Role-Play to Real Results: Transforming Workplace Culture Through Practice -- Inclusive Leader Spotlight

Take a listen, sign up for my book updates, and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Small actions can lead to big results.

Cheers,

Katie

Katie McLaughlin Founder, Chief Strategist & Transformation Artist McLaughlin Method www.mclaughlinmethod.com What's My Team Health Score?